Online Betting Contest

GIBRALTAR, April 28 /PRNewswire/ — MansionPoker

MansionPoker (mansionpoker.com) is pleased to announce that MANSION sponsor pro Marc “Mr Cool” Goodwin has won the Manchester leg of the GUKPT taking home with him GBP 90,420 ($180.000 USD). With a record breakingfirst day performance, Marc took out 14 players in the first day, and started Day 2 with more chips then any other player in this type of tournament. Marc dominated for the most part in the well subscribed 309 runner event, with 12 Mansion players taking part (10 qualified through Badbeat.com), and 2 players making it to the Final Table. Mansion and Bad Beat trainee playerAarun Bernard walked into Marc’s Ace deuce, and his pocket QQ failed to holdup for a very respectable 5th place finish. A final heads up battle with Nik Persaud saw the action heat up when Marcraised pre flop to 80,000 and Nik flat called. The board came A 3 10, Marcpushed and Nik went into the Tank for what seemed like an age before callingwith K 10 against Marc’s A 8. The turn and river brought two Jacks, awarding Marc the victory and GBP90,000 in prize money! Head of MansionPoker, Jon Sullivan, said ”Marc’s play was impressive, and with the quality of our members, a Mansionplayer to win was always on the cards. I’d also like to extend many thanks toall the Mansion/Bad Beat players who took part, with a special mention to John ‘fishalot’ Hughes who also represented Mansion, and bought in using hisVPP.” Players who would like to join Marc Goodwin and Team Mansion in Las Vegasthis year for the WSOP Main Event can qualify in the 20 Package GUARANTEED Super Satellite Freezeout on June 15th for only US$320. Players start with 5000 starting chips and 20 minute blinds meaning this event will be one ofthe biggest value tournaments on the net. In addition there are twice Daily freerolls, VPP races, Marc GoodwinBounty tournaments, and Daily high hand promotions during May. This means players can qualify in a variety of ways or simply directly buy in via the Specials tab in the Tournament lobby.

Professional Gambler Pleads Guilty in NBA Betting Scandal

A professional gambler pleaded guilty on Thursday to making bets based on inside tips from former NBA referee Tim Donaghy.
James Battista told a judge in federal court in Brooklyn he hatched a scheme in late 2006 with another old friend of Donaghy, Thomas Martino, to pay the referee thousands of dollars for the information while Battista was “engaged in the business of sports betting.”
Battista’s lawyer had notified the court last week that his client wanted to go to trial rather than plead guilty to charges of defrauding the NBA, as Martino did earlier this month. But he changed his mind after prosecutors offered a last-minute deal allowing him to instead plead guilty to a lesser charge of conspiring to make illegal bets, said the lawyer, Jack McMahon.
“He’s a gambler, and he bet,” McMahon said. “We never really contested that.”
The deal spares Donaghy from having to testify as the government’s star witness at a high-profile federal trial. It also means Battista, 42, will face only 10 to 16 months in prison at sentencing on July 11. By contrast, Martino faces 12 to 18 months.
Donaghy, of Bradenton, Fla., pleaded guilty last year to charges he conspired to engage in wire fraud and transmitted betting information through interstate commerce.
The referee said he made NBA bets for four years, even wagering on games he worked. He also admitted recommending bets to high-stakes gamblers and collecting $5,000 if his picks hit.
Donaghy, 41, is scheduled to be sentenced May 22. By law, he faces up to 25 years in prison, though the term could be much lower under sentencing guidelines.
The three men attended high school together in Springfield, Pa.

Source: EOG.com by AP

Bundesliga Betting Preview – Matchday 29 (Apr 25-27, 2008)

April 26, 2008  Hambuger SV vs. Schalke 04 <Schalke Look to Close Ranks After Slomka Exit>

On Saturday Schalke 04 face their first real test since the departure of Mirko Slomka on April 13th, when they go on the road to face Hamburg, looking to dislodge them from third place. The Royal Blues’ recent 5-1 defeat by Werder Bremen was the catalyst for Slomka’s sacking, but outside of that defeat their league form has actually been fairly solid, unbeaten in the previous three away outings. They reacted well under make-shift management, taking care of Schalke until the end of the season, beating Cottbus 5-0 at home two days after the reshuffle, with four goals from Kevin Kuranyi.

Having lost just once at home this season Hamburg should provide a stern test of Schalke’s resilience, but the Rothosen (Red Shorts) are looking to end a five game run without victory. The poor end of season spell is particularly disappointing, as they could have taken advantage of indifferent form of those clubs around them and moved into the second automatic Champions League qualification berth. Ivica Olic missed a penalty in their recent 0-0 draw with Hertha Berlin, underlining a lack of confidence, while their manager, Huub Stevens, has understandably been distracted by his wife’s serious illness. The sides drew 1-1 last November, 2007.

April 27, 2008  Bayern Munich vs. Stuttgart < Changing Of the Guard at the Allianz Arena?>

Sunday’s game at the Allianz Arena between Bayern Munich and visiting Stuttgart, could signal a changing of the guard in German football. Stuttgart were surprise Champions last season, while Munich struggled, but big summer signings have born fruit for Germany’s biggest club. Luca Toni – or ‘Il Bomber’ as he is now called - has been in excellent recent form, scoring eight times in his last four games, including both goals in the 2-1 extra time DFB German Cup final win over Borussia last Saturday.

Given their comfortable position 10 points clear at the top of the table, boss Ottmar Hitzfeld, may be tempted to rest some of his stars, ahead of the UEFA Cup second leg semi-final in Russia four days after this fixture. The Bavarians have work to do in that competition, having drawn 1-1 in the home leg. Hitzfeld must balance that option with the knowledge that just two more league wins will make the Bundesliga title a mathematical certainty. Bayern Munich hammered Borussia Dortmund 5-0 at the Allianz Arena two weeks ago, sending out a clear warning to Stuttgart that they mean business at home. VFB boss, Armin Veh, conceded the title some time ago, but he can still have serious claims on second or third spot, but must see out the season with maximum points.

Source: PinnacleSports.com

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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., April 21 /PRNewswire/ — The Water Club, A Signature Hotel By Borgata, a joint venture between Boyd Gaming and MGM MIRAGE , began accepting hotel reservations today. The $400 million boutique-lifestyle hotel, which will open this June, will feature 800 guestrooms and suites. Guests can reserve a variety of rooms or packages at The Water Club by calling (800) 800.8817, or visiting for stays, starting July 1st.”We’re excited to announce this key milestone for The Water Club, bringing this unique hotel experience one step closer for guests,” says Larry Mullin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. “The debut of The Water Club will allow more guests than ever before to experience Borgata through a distinctly cosmopolitan hotel experience.”The debut of The Water Club will complete Borgata’s $600 million master plan development and bring the total investment into the resort destination to $1.7 billion.About The Water ClubOn schedule for a June 2008 opening, The Water Club, a Signature Hotel by Borgata, will introduce a unique brand of hospitality to Atlantic City, combining elements of Borgata, while delivering a personality of its own. The $400 million hotel will feature 800 guestrooms and suites; Immersion, a two-story spa located on the 32nd Floor; 18,000 square feet of meeting space; three Residences modeled after chic, urban lofts; five heated indoor and outdoor pools; and six retail shops. Located adjacent to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, The Water Club will be just steps away from Borgata’s world-class entertainment, shopping, dining, nightlife, and gaming options.About BorgataBorgata is a joint venture of Boyd Gaming Corporation and MGM MIRAGE . Located at Renaissance Pointe in Atlantic City, it features 2,000 guest rooms and suites, 161,000 square feet of gaming, 200 gaming tables, 4,100 slot machines, 10 destination restaurants, 12 retail boutiques, a 54,000 square foot spa, 70,000 square feet of event space, and parking for 7,100 cars. For more information on Borgata or to obtain a copy of this press release, please visit or use AOL keyword: borgata. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at ; additional information on MGM MIRAGE can be found at . MEDIA CONTACTS: Noel Stevenson Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa 609.317.7380 Michelle Horn/ Kyle Schmitz Nancy J. Friedman Public Relations 212.228.1500 / The Water Club, A Signature Hotel By Borgata

Just like poker players and online casino gamblers, sports bettors are always looking for an edge. While long-term successful sports betting requires patience, meticulous research and quite possibly a health dose of luck, there are some secrets that may offer a bettor a slight advantage over the competition.

Home Dogs in Sports Betting

It is dangerous to underestimate the importance of home field advantage. The comfort with one’s surroundings, being acclimated to the playing conditions, and the pumping up roar of the crowd can all make a team play much better than you might expect them to. If you can find a team that is getting points as an underdog but playing at home, you have the potential for a profitable bet.

Streaks in Sports Betting

If a team has been winning for many weeks, bettors are more likely to gravitate toward that team, making the lines against them more favorable. If a team is consistently strong against the spread you might want to steer clear, but a team that has simply been winning their games while not particularly successful against the spread is often a good one to bet against.

Misleading Information

Some lines may be moved artificially due to factors that are not as relevant as they appear. For example, you can expect the Giants to be favored early in the season, probably by more points and more often than they would have been had New England defeated them in the Super Bowl. While the Giants are the reigning champion and a strong team, there is no reason to believe based on last year’s regular season performance that they will devastate the spread.